Venture Visionaries – Angels, Demons and Other Relatives
Berlin, Germany
19 March 2026 - 21 March 2026
M&A track
Thursday 19 March 2026 | |
| 17:00 | Registrations open |
| 18:00 | Welcome reception and cocktail dinner |
Friday 20 March 2026 | |
| 09:15 » 09:40 | Welcome address |
| 09:40 » 10:00 | Opening session |
| 10:00 » 11:20 | Family Offices and Venture Capital What happens when the guardians of generational wealth meet the adrenaline-fueled world of startups and scale-ups? Welcome to the fascinating intersection of family offices and venture capital – a space where tradition meets disruption and long-term vision collides with high-risk, high-reward investing. In this session, we'll break down: (i) what a VC transaction really is (spoiler: it's not just M&A with a hoodie); (ii) what family offices are (and why no two are quite the same); and (iii) how and why these two are increasingly doing business together. You'll learn why family offices are becoming serious players in the VC space, what makes them tick (or hesitate) and what legal and strategic quirks arise when they dive into venture deals. Whether you're advising founders, funds, or families, this panel aims at giving you tools to navigate this dynamic landscape. Expect real talk, sharp insights and maybe a few war stories. |
| 11:20 » 11:40 | Coffee Break |
| 11:40 » 13:00 | How to incentivize founders and key employees (ESOP/PSOP etc.) Startups run on vision, caffeine - and the promise of equity. But turning that promise into a legally sound, tax-efficient, and founder-friendly incentive plan? That's where we come in. This panel dives into the tools and tactics behind equity-based incentive schemes like ESOPs, PSOPs and beyond, with a special focus on how they play out in VC-backed companies. We'll explore real-world structures, common pitfalls and the strategic role lawyers play in aligning interests without triggering chaos (or tax nightmares). Whether you're advising the boardroom or the beneficiaries, this session is aimed at sharpening your understanding of how to design and negotiate incentive plans that actually work - on paper and in practice. Because in the end, keeping key people on board isn't just about equity. It's about getting the structure right. |
| 13:00 » 14:30 | Lunch Break |
| 14:30 » 15:50 | University spin offs – IP and immigration law challenges When brilliant minds leave the university labs to launch a startup, you often get a legal puzzle with high stakes and even higher potential. This panel dives into the real-world challenges of university spin-offs with a specific focus on intellectual property rights tangled in academic institutions and immigration hurdles faced by international founders. We'll explore how these issues impact VC transactions, and why family offices are increasingly interested in backing innovation born on campus. Get a chance to better understand the unique legal dynamics at play - and the skills needed to guide spin-offs from idea to investment-ready. |
| 15:50 » 16:10 | Cooffee Break |
| 16:10 » 17:30 | War Stories & Expectations Ever wondered what really happens when family offices dive into venture capital? It's not always smooth sailing. This panel brings you real-life anecdotes - the good, the bad and the "did-that-really-just-happen?" -from the front lines of VC transactions involving family offices. We'll unpack the challenges, surprising opportunities and market realities that shape these deals and spotlight the skills lawyers need to navigate them. Whether you're in private client or corporate/M&A, we hope you walk away with a clearer sense of what it takes to thrive in this space - and what you might want to sharpen in your toolkit. Think you've seen it all? Think again. Candid stories, practical insights and a few laughs will pull back the curtain on the chaos, creativity and curveballs that come with family office VC deals. |
| 19:30 » 01:00 | Dinner |
Saturday 21 March 2026 | |
| 09:30 | Registrations open |
| 10:00 » 11:00 | Alternative financing arrangements and US flips Convertible notes, SAFEs, revenue-based financing – VC deals don't always follow the classic playbook. And when a promising startup suddenly needs to "flip" into a US structure to attract investors? That's when things get really interesting. This panel explores the alternative financing tools gaining traction in VC transactions, and the legal gymnastics involved in US flips - especially when family offices are on the cap table. We'll unpack the structuring challenges, tax traps, and cross-border twists that lawyers need to navigate to keep deals on track. If you're advising founders, investors, or families, this session aims at sharpening your instincts for spotting red flags, asking the right questions, and structuring deals that work across jurisdictions. |
| 11:00 » 11:30 | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 » 12:00 | Keynote speaker |
| 12:00 » 12:45 | Closing remarks |
| 12:45 » 13:15 | Commission Meetings |
IPCFL track
Thursday 19 March 2026 | |
| 17:00 | Registrations open |
| 18:00 » 20:00 | Welcome reception and cocktail dinner |
Friday 20 March 2026 | |
| 09:15 » 09:40 | Welcome address |
| 09:40 » 10:00 | Opening session |
| 10:00 » 11:20 | Family Offices and Venture Capital What happens when the guardians of generational wealth meet the adrenaline-fueled world of startups and scale-ups? Welcome to the fascinating intersection of family offices and venture capital – a space where tradition meets disruption and long-term vision collides with high-risk, high-reward investing. In this session, we'll break down: (i) what a VC transaction really is (spoiler: it's not just M&A with a hoodie); (ii) what family offices are (and why no two are quite the same); and (iii) how and why these two are increasingly doing business together. You'll learn why family offices are becoming serious players in the VC space, what makes them tick (or hesitate) and what legal and strategic quirks arise when they dive into venture deals. Whether you're advising founders, funds, or families, this panel aims at giving you tools to navigate this dynamic landscape. Expect real talk, sharp insights and maybe a few war stories. |
| 11:20 » 11:40 | Coffee Break |
| 11:40 » 13:00 | Venture Capital and Marriage What do term sheets and prenups have in common? More than you'd think. This panel dives into the surprisingly tangled world where venture capital meets marriage - and things get personal and complicated. From equity stakes in startups to marital property regimes, we'll explore what happens when founders tie the knot (or untie it), and how investors, spouses and lawyers all get pulled into the mix. Whether you're advising on shareholder agreements or estate plans, this session will give you a fresh perspective on how personal relationships can impact professional deals - and vice versa. Perfect for lawyers who want to understand the legal, financial and human dynamics when love and equity collide. |
| 13:00 » 14:30 | Lunch Break |
| 14:30 » 15:50 | Building Cross-Sector Networks: Leveraging Relationships for Successful VC Transactions – The role of estate planning and proactive wealth planning Behind every successful VC deal is more than just a good pitch - there's a network of sharp minds, strategic planning and a whole lot of trust. This panel explores how estate planning and proactive wealth structuring play a surprisingly powerful role in VC transactions - especially when family offices are involved. We'll talk about how building the right relationships across practice areas can unlock opportunities, avoid pitfalls, and create long-term value for clients. It's not just about knowing your stuff - it's about knowing who to call, what to ask and when to speak up. This panel helps you build that edge. |
| 15:50 » 16:10 | Coffee Break |
| 16:10 » 17:30 | War Stories & Expectations Ever wondered what really happens when family offices dive into venture capital? It's not always smooth sailing. This panel brings you real-life anecdotes - the good, the bad and the "did-that-really-just-happen?" -from the front lines of VC transactions involving family offices. We'll unpack the challenges, surprising opportunities and market realities that shape these deals and spotlight the skills lawyers need to navigate them. Whether you're in private client or corporate/M&A, we hope you walk away with a clearer sense of what it takes to thrive in this space - and what you might want to sharpen in your toolkit. Think you've seen it all? Think again. Candid stories, practical insights and a few laughs will pull back the curtain on the chaos, creativity and curveballs that come with family office VC deals. |
| 19:30 » 01:00 | Dinner |
Saturday 21 March 2026 | |
| 09:30 | Registrations open |
| 10:00 » 11:00 | Alternative investments; case studies and lessons learned What happens in the world of startups, crypto, or impact funds? This panel unpacks real-life case studies of alternative investments - some that soared, others that stumbled - and the legal lessons behind them. We'll explore how lawyers can play a role in shaping (or saving) these deals, what went wrong when things got messy, and what skills are essential to navigate this complex, fast-moving space. From structuring and governance to risk management and client communication, this session is packed with practical takeaways for lawyers advising on venture capital and family office strategies. Whether you're drafting term sheets or designing trusts, this panel aims at revealing the legal twists behind the scenes – and the skills that turn challenges into wins. |
| 11:00 » 11:30 | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 » 12:00 | Keynote speaker |
| 12:00 » 12:45 | Closing remarks |
| 12:45 » 13:15 | Commission Meetings |
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